Page 74 of Twins For My Bestie's Brother

I need to talk to someone. Need to tell them. But the only person who deserves to know is Jackson. I can’t tell Kayla before him. Or anyone. I need to tellhim.

I have to bide my time. I know he’s got business to take care of and this will throw everything off balance. I’ll take my time getting down there and then . . . who knows how it will come out.

I climb into the tub and let the hot water swallow me. For just another hour, I’m going to pretend like nothing has changed. Because everything is about to.

I take my time getting ready. I do my makeup as pristinely as possible and let my curls drip dry. I don a dress Jackson had bought me for the trip, a beautiful burgundy wool number that’d had me bowled over by the price tag. But it fits perfectly and shows off the curves of my body. Curves that are going to change sooner rather than later.

When I get to The Nexus, it’s already dark out and the vibe has gone from daytime nibbles and bites to a supper club with dark lighting and swooning music. Hopefully, they’re still eating because I’m starving. Thank God I haven’t experienced any of the nausea and vomiting yet and can still enjoy food.

The host leads me all the way to the back where there are private tables set back into the recesses of the walls. I first see Danforth and Carina entangled beside one another at the round table. And then there’s Jackson. When I see him, my heart leaps into my mouth.That’s the father of my child.

He’s smiling, talking animatedly about something, his hands moving as he does so. His golden hair is windswept from the day of skiing and his thermal turtleneck sticks tight to his chest, showing him off in all the right ways. Perfect place for a baby to curl up and take a nap.

He must feel my eyes on him because he’s the first to look up from the table, and when he does, he smiles even bigger, if that’s possible.

God, he doesn’t even know yet. I have the pregnancy test in my purse. A promise to myself that I have to tell him.

Jackson stands up from the table to greet me. “You clean up nice,” he says, pulling me into an embrace and kissing me.

His mouth tastes like red wine. A kiss from someone who’s been drinking can’t hurt the baby, right?

I can’t believe I’m thinking like that now.

“I love this dress,” he murmurs against my mouth.

I smile. “You picked it out.”

Jackson’s hand slides from my back down to my ass. I nearly squeal in surprise. We’re not strangers to PDA, but that’s a line we tend not to cross. Certainly not in a place like this. “I did good,” he goes on, then steps aside as if presenting me. “Doesn’t she look amazing?”

“Amazing!” Carina echoes. Her eyes are vibrating with unasked questions. Amazing how strangers can become confidants when you’re in a time of need. “Are you feeling better, Lily?”

Jackson pulls out my chair for me and I sit. “Much. Just needed a bath and some rest,” I reply, giving her a pointed look to shut down any leading questions.

“You’re probably starving,” Carina says.

Dammit, Carina.

Danforth flags down the waiter and orders a bunch of things without consulting me which is just fine with me at this point. I’ll eat whatever. Except . . . God, I should have looked at the list of stuff you’re not supposed to have while pregnant, so I don’t do something stupid.

“And another bottle for the table,” Danforth says, gesturing toward an empty bottle of red wine that sits at the center of the table. He gives me a smile. “You have to try it.”

I bite my lower lip, looking to Carina for help.

“And a bottle of sparkling water!” Carina shouts out to the waiter before he gets away. “Need our sparkling water.”

Jackson puts his arm over the back of my chair and looks down at my chest. “You really look amazing.”

I tip his chin back up. “How much have you had to drink?” I ask, trying not to sound annoyed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jackson quite like this. At least not while I’m sober. And I can’t say I like it.

“Don’t worry, you’ll catch up,” he says with a grin before kissing me again.

Yeah, about that . . .

“Your timing couldn’t have been more perfect,” Danforth says. “We were just discussing logistics.”

I look between Danforth and Jackson. “Logistics?”

Jackson squeezes my arm. “We’re putting together an adventure expedition business.”

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